In Horšice, architectural history and landscape come together: the Church of St. Matthias dates back to around 1300, while the Zlatý potok divides the town into two parts. The area also offers wooded hills, cycling routes and memorial sites connected with the region’s history. Those looking for a destination with cultural and cycling attractions will find several different points of interest here.
Architectural history between Horšice and Újezd
The Church of St. Matthias in Horšice is originally a Gothic building dating from around 1300 and was later remodelled in the Baroque style. It is listed as an immovable cultural monument. The passage of time is therefore reflected directly in the church’s architectural history: its Gothic origins were followed by a later Baroque transformation.
The chateau in Újezd also combines different architectural forms. It is a two-winged, single-storey building; the Chapel of St. Anne, added later, stands on its east side. Horšice still has the large barn associated with the town’s later fortress. The rectangular, two-storey building measures about 14 × 21 metres and has a mansard roof and massive buttresses. By contrast, only inconspicuous traces in the terrain remain of the older fortress. The local architectural history thus ranges from a large building that is still standing to barely noticeable traces in the landscape.
The Zlatý potok and the wooded hills
The Zlatý potok flows through Horšice and divides the town into two parts. The three highest wooded hills in Horšice lie along the stream: Nevěrná at 571 metres, Holý vrch at 569 metres and Jindřín at 535 metres. Jindřín is also home to a hillfort from the region’s prehistoric settlement. The names and elevations provide specific reference points for the landscape, while the hillfort adds an archaeological dimension to its natural appeal.
Cycling routes and different route alignments
Cycle Route No. 2189 passes through Horšice on the Loupenská Háj–Horšice–Újezd–Kbelnice route. Cycle Route No. 2186 has a different connection to the town: it passes through the administrative area of Horšice along the Radkovice–Vitouň–Luh route. For navigation, it therefore makes a difference whether Horšice is explicitly named in the route sequence or whether the route is associated with its administrative area. Check the current route signs before setting out on a bike ride.
Šlajsova pětapadesátka is a 50-kilometre memorial bike ride held on the anniversary of Šlajs’s death. It is a clearly defined, longer cycling option with a historical occasion. If you are planning to take part, check the current date.
Memorial sites and historical dates
The memorial in Nevěrná commemorates gendarmerie sergeant Josef Šlajs. He was seriously wounded on 19 May 1945 in the woods above Újezd while searching for German soldiers, and died of his injuries on 20 May. The Tělovýchovná jednota Sokol Horšice erected the memorial on 26 August 1945. The dates distinguish between the day he was wounded, the day he died and the later erection of the memorial.
Another sign of the local religious heritage is the roadside cross U křížku on the road from Horšice to Luh. It was restored on 5 September 2000. Together with the Church of St. Matthias and the Chapel of St. Anne, it adds a smaller roadside memorial site to the larger buildings.
Getting there and church services
Horšice is served by ČSAD buses. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable for your travel date, as transport services can change. Roman Catholic services of the Přeštice parish are regularly held on Sundays in the Church of St. Matthias. If you plan to attend a service, it is advisable to check the current schedule.
Discover more destinations: Roupov, Nová Ves U Plzně, Kotovice, Tojice, Radkovice U Příchovic, Dnešice, Dolní Lukavice, Chocenice.
Return to the wider travel overview: Plzeň-Jih.
